10 Art Masterpieces You Can Only See in Berlin
Many of Berlin’s museums still remain at the forefront of the world’s cultural collections. Today, a rainbow spectrum of art and artifacts through the ages can be found in the historical City of Berlin. Here is Culture Trip’s list of outstanding artworks, which you can only truly appreciate if you happen to be visiting the German capital.
1. The Head of Christ by Rembrandt
Museum
2. Woman with a Pearl Necklace by Johannes Vermeer
This relic of 17th century Northern Europe is the work of Johannes Vermeer. Painted using oils on canvas, the artist portrays a young Dutch woman, of upper class descent, dressing herself with the iconic pearl necklace from which the painting draws its name. Vermeer is considered one of the greatest artists of the Dutch Golden Age, with his intimate depictions of women in domestic scenes. Woman with a Pearl Necklace is also housed at the Gemäldegalerie.
Where: Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz, Berlin, Germany, +49 30 266424242
3. Portrait of a Young Girl by Petrus Christus
Dutch painter, Christus painted Portrait of a Young Girl, a work widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful portraits to come out of the Northern Renaissance – sometime between 1465 and 1470. The small oil-on-oak panel is one of many European masterpieces that can be admired at the Gemäldegalerie.
Where: Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz, Berlin, Germany, +49 30 266424242
4. Woman with a Dead Child by Käthe Kollwitz
Memorial
5. The Monk by the Sea by Caspar David Friedrich
Art Gallery, Museum
According to art historians, this gorgeous oil dreamscape – the work of German Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich, dates all the way back to 1808–1810. It was painted while the artist himself was living in Dresden. Today, the oil painting can be viewed at the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery).
6. Nefertiti Bust by Thutmose
Museum, Art Gallery
7. Seated Harlequin by Pablo Picasso
Museum
8. Potsdamer Platz by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is one of the most famous artists of the expressionist movement, which has roots as far back as pre-WWI Germany. This particular painting shows two prostitutes in Potsdamer Platz in 1914, Berlin. Scenes like this were the focus of Kirchner’s work, and he painted a very different picture of life in Berlin from the mainstream view of the time. Potsdamer Platz forms part of Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie collection, and can be admired at the Hamburger Bahnhof while the Neue Galley is under construction.
Where: Hamburger Bahnhof Invalidenstraße 50-51, Berlin, Germany +49 30 39783411
9. Das Eisenwalzwerk by Adolph von Menzel
Museum
10. Amor Vincet Omnia by Caravaggio
This painting by Italian realist, Caravaggio shows a grinning cupid wearing dark eagle wings. Cupid was a popular subject at the time, but Caravaggio’s interpretation stands out for not adhering to an idealised image of a beautiful boy. The painting is yet another masterpiece on display at the Gemäldegalerie.
Where: Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz, Berlin, Germany, +49 30 266424242
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